'80s Rewind: 'Talk Radio'

Remember when Oliver Stone made films that mattered? Or at least entertained?
The '80s was Stone's decade, no doubt. From "Platoon" to "Wall Street," Stone could do no wrong, giving us provocative films which challenged and enlightened in grand style.

But his 1988 drama "Talk Radio" somehow missed the masses.

Eric Bogosian's stage play became Stone's sleeper, a taut drama about a radio talk show host teetering on the edge of sanity.

Bogosian is most, if not the whole show as the rude, crude Barry Champlain. Bogosian and Stone took Bogosian's original play and spliced in elements from the death of Denver talk show host Alan Berg.

The material still rings true today, as Barry blasts away at sad-sack callers who carry as much unhealthy anger as the host himself. Those very same types vent their rage online now as well as the airwaves.

Kudos to Alec Baldwin for sterling support as the talker's tough boss. We take it for granted now how good Baldwin can be in secondary roles.

"Talk Radio" was one of my video store perennials -- one of about a dozen films I watched over and again when I worked at a Mom and Pop rental shop back in the proverbial day.

Was lucky enough to grab a used DVD of "Talk Radio" yesterday. Can't wait to hear Barry's act again.